Why did Emperor Chongzhen decide to increase the salaries of all officials?
The answer is quite simple.
The currency trial in Shaanxi was a resounding success, and now it is time to implement it nationwide. Officials are the primary personnel responsible for carrying out this currency reform. Only by ensuring they are well-fed can they be expected to work with genuine diligence. This is especially true for the low-level grassroots officials; they shoulder the heaviest and most exhausting workloads, yet they receive the lowest pay. One can easily imagine how their motivation will soar once the new policy is issued.
Emperor Chongzhen increased everyone’s salary by half a tael of silver. While this amount is negligible to high-ranking officials, it is a significant sum for those at the grassroots level. Under the "bribery" of these extra funds, the goodwill of grassroots officials toward Emperor Chongzhen will grow further. By the time the reforms begin, they should be fully committed to pushing through the currency transformation.
After receiving Emperor Chongzhen’s instructions, the Ministry of Personnel recalculated the salaries of all officials and transferred the files to the Ministry of Revenue for verification. Once confirmed by the Ministry of Revenue, the proposal was submitted to the Cabinet. This task, while seemingly monumental, did not garner much attention from the Cabinet, as they were busy planning an even greater endeavor: the nationwide implementation of curr…
Chapter 673